Simulated football game

ABSTRACT

A game for simulating football is disclosed which provides for actively participating offensive and defensive players. The game includes a simulated football field with a ball position marker, a down marker, and a marker for indicating yardage to be made for a first down. A chance-controlled drum includes a plurality of play columns, each representative of a different play. Columns for similar offensive plays are arranged in defense groups, and each play column includes two sub-columns. Defensive player cards are provided, one for each defense group of plays. In playing the game, the rules of football are followed with the yardage resulting from each play determined by operation of the chancecontrolled drum. Prior to each offensive play, the defensive player selects a defensive card. The offensive player then announces the play he wishes to run and spins the chance drum. If the defensive player has not selected the defense for the offensive play announced by the offensive player, the ball position marker is advanced according the number in one subcolumn on the chance drum. If the correct defense has been chosen to anticipate the offensive play, the ball position marker is moved in accordance with the other sub-column of the selected play column, which is less favorable to the offensive player.

United States Patent [191 Lowther SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME [76] inventor:Robert C. Lowther, 1919 Andrew St., Alexandria, La. 71301 [22] Filed:Sept. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 185,074

[52] US. Cl. 273/94 R, 273/143 E [51] Int. Cl. A63f 7/06 [58] Field ofSearch 273/94 R, 134 C, 134 CB, 273/134 CF, 131 C, 138 R, 93 R, 143 C,143

D, 143 E, 145 CA [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 584,2196/1897 De Grain 273/143 E 1,360,299 11/1920 Kaufmann et al... 273/94 R258,387 5/1882 Dennings 273/143 E 1,580,680 4/1926 Ryan 273/94 R1,670,704 5/1928 Wylie et al 273/94 R 2,606,029 8/1952 Esch 273/93 R3,554,548 l/l97l lsom 273/94 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 617,5612/1949 Great Britain 273/143 E Primary Examiner-Richard C. PinkhamAssistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Richards, Harris & Medlock Apr. 30, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A game forsimulating football is disclosed which provides for activelyparticipating offensive and defensive players. The game includes asimulated football field with a ball position marker, a down marker, anda marker for indicating yardage to be made for a first down. Achance-controlled drum includes a plurality of play columns, eachrepresentative of a different play. Columns for similar offensive playsare arranged in defense groups, and each play column includes twosub-columns. Defensive player cards are provided, one for each defensegroup of plays. In playing the game, the rules of football are followedwith the yardage resulting from each play determined by operationof thechance-controlled drum. Prior to each offensive play, the defensiveplayer selects a defensive card. The offensive player then announces theplay he wishes to run and spins the chance drum. If the defensive playerhas not selected the defense for the offensive play announced by theoffensive player, the ball position marker is advanced according thenumber in one subcolumn on the chance drum. 1f the correct defense hasbeen chosen to anticipate the offensive play, the ball position markeris moved in accordance with the other sub-column of the selected playcolumn, which is less favorable to the offensive player.

15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PMNYEUAPR so 1914 SHEET 2 BF 2 SIMULATEDFOOTBALL GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Theinvention relates generally to games, and more particularly relates to asimulated football game.

2. History of the Prior Art A large number of simulated football gameshave been heretofore devised involving complicated mechanical andelectromechanical chance control systems. These games tend to make theoutcome dependent much more heavily on chance rather than the use ofstrategy closely related to that employed in an actual football game.Other games have relied more heavily on the use of playing cards whereinball movement is determined by specific numerical indicia printed on thecards. Still other games have tended to oversimplify the types of playstrategy available to both the offensive and defensive players so thatthe game falls short of accurately simulating actual football playsituations. The simulated football game of the present inventionovercomes the disadvantages of needless complexity in a play-selecting,chance-controlled device and provides accurate simulation of bothoffensive and defensive strategy used during the progress of an actualfootball game. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with an improvedsimulated football game wherein the outcome of the game is more heavilydependent on the tactical skill of the players. More specifically, thedefensive player anticipates which of a plurality of plays might beselected by an offensive player. Theoffensive player operates a chancedevice which includes a number of play columns, each of which includes afirst sub-column for indicatingthe results of the play if the play wasanticipated by the defense, and a second sub-column for use when thedefensive player did not anticipate the selected play. The lattersub-column provides for a greater advantage to the offensive player, aswould be the case when the defense is caught by surprise.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a simplified chancedevice is provided which comprises a drum which is journaled on ahorizontal axis. A plurality of ball registering positions are disposedaround the periphery of the drum. A weighted ball rolls within the drumand falls into one of the slots to cause the drum to stop at one of aplurality of preselected positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a more complete understanding ofthe present invention and the advantages thereof, reference may be hadto the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a device constructed in DETAILEDDESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, a game in accordance with thepresent invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral inFIG. 1.

-A simulated football playing field 12 has equally spaced yardage strips13, goal posts 14, a ball position marker 15, and a first down marker16. The ball marker 15 includes a pointer 17 for marking the preciseyardage position of the ball in play and a first down marker 18comprising a rotatable cube with down numbers 1-4 printed thereon. Theball position marker 15 is mounted within a slot 19 to slide the lengthof one side of the playing field 12. The first down marker 16 is mountedwithin a slot 20 extending the length of the field on the opposite sidefrom the slot 19 and is movable longitudinally of the playing field 12to indicate the distance the ball marker 15 must be moved to gain afirst down situation.

Mounted along one side of the playing field 12 is a modular playingstation indicated generally at 21. The playing station 21 includes anouter housing 22 comprising a-substantially vertical back plate 22a, ahorizontal top plate 2212, end plates 22c, and an inclined front panel22d. The front panel 22d mounts a pair of scorekeeping wheels 23a and23b, one for each team, and a wheel 23c for counting the number of playsin each quarter of the game. A slot in the front panel 22d forms anelongate window 24 extending between opposite ends of the housing 22. Onthe panel 22d above the window 24 are a plurality of offensive playselection sections 25 which contain indicia identifying a particulartype of offensive play. An offensive play selector 26 is mounted on arod 27 to slide the length of the window 24 for selection of one of thesections 25. The window 24 serves as an indicator for thechance-controlled play selection device as hereafter described. A set offour defensive playing cards 61-64 one having a red face, one a greenface, one a blue face and one a yellow face are provided to record thedefense selected by the defensive player.

The chance-controlled device in accordance with one aspect of thepresent invention includes an elongated cylinder 30 which extends thelength of the housing 22 beneath the front panel 22d and a portion ofthe outer surface of the cylinder 30 is exposed through the window 24.The cylinder 30 is journaled in opposite ends of the housing 22 by axialpins 31 and is rotated about its axis by moving the surface exposedthrough an opening 32.

Another aspect of this invention is the chancecontrolled device 35 shownin FIGS. 2 and 2A. The device 35 comprises a cylindrical cage 36 whichis closed at opposite ends by plates 37 and 38. A plurality of weightregistering openings 39 are disposed around the periphery of the cagewhich are smaller in diameter than a ball 41 contained within the cage.There is'one opening 39 for each row of play instruction data on thecylinder 30.

The chance-controlled device 35 is operated by spinning the cylinder 30about its axis. Since the cylinder 30, which is preferably relativelylight weight cardboard, is freely rotatable on the axial pins 31, therelatively heavy ball 41 tends to come to rest at its lowest positiondue to gravity. When the ball 41 is at rest, one

of the rows of play instruction information on the cylinder 30 is inalignment with-the display window 24. As can be seen, thechance-controlled device of the present invention is of simple andinexpensive construction, and very reliable because of the simplicity.The device is also relatively quiet when the cage is made from plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front view of the inclinedpanel 22d containing the window 24. The panel 22d has indicia printed inthe play selection sections above the window 24 which are in alignmentwith the columns 48 on the cylinder mounted beneath the window 24. Theindicia on the panel 22d serve as column headings for the playinstructions on the cylinder and are divided intotwo sections. Section51' contains nine column headings for kicking plays. Section 52 containstwelve column headings for various offensive plays. The offensive playsare arranged in four groups, according to general type, for whichcertain types of defenses are most effective. The column headingscomprise a red defense 52a for pass plays; a green defense 52b for trickplays; a blue defense 52c for basic running plays; and a yellow defense52d for power plays. Each one of the play columns 48 on the cylinder 30is aligned with a play indentification heading 25 on the face of thepanel 22d.

The outer surface of the cylinder 30 contains play instructions asillustrated in the boxes 45 shown in FIG. 4. The boxes 45'are arrangedin a plurality of play columns 48 extending circumferentially of thecylinder, which is the direction represented by the arrow 49. The boxesare also arranged in rows in the direction of arrow 47 which are sorelated to the openings 39 in the cage 36 that only one row is visiblethrough the window 24 when the cylinder is at rest in any givenposition.

Each one of the individual play instructions boxes 45 in the columns 54ad contains two different play results, so that the boxes 45 in a playcolumnin effect form two sub-columns. For example, in box 55 there is anumber 56 on the left and a number 57 on the right. The righthand halfof each box is colored to match the color of the defense for theparticular play. Thus, the colored half of each play result box of theplay columns in the pass play section 54a are red; those in the trickplay section 54 are green; those in the basic running play section 540are blue; and those in the power play section 54d are yellow.

The game is begun by flipping a coin to see which player kicks off. Thekicking player places the play selector 26 on the kick-off column andspins the chancecontrolled device with his finger through the opening32. If desired, the play selector 26 can be eliminated, in which casethe offensive player merely announces his play selection. When thecylinder 30 stops, one of the rows of play instructions 46 will be inalignment with the window 24. The ball position marker 17 is then moveddownfield according to the yardage shown through the window 24 beneaththekick-off indicia. The player who receives the kick-off then moves theplay selector 26 to the kick-off return column, spins the chance controldevice 35 and returns the ball according to the yardage shown throughwindow 24. In

the event that the ball is kicked over the goal line, the

fumble or a kick-ofi or punt return, when the kicking team recovers, aplay instruction of minus yardage refers to movement of the ball by therecovering team from the point the ball was received by the fumblingteam.

During the playing of the game, the defensive player tries to guess whattype of offensive play his opponent will run, i.e., a pass play, a trickplay, a basic running play or a power play, and lays the appropriatelycolored defensive cards 61-64 face down so that the offensive player cannot detect his choice. The offensive player then announces theoffensiveplay he wishes to run and spins the chance-controlled drum.When the drum stops, a particular play instruction box is positioned inthe window 24 beneath the play announced by the offensive player. Thecolored card selected by the defensive player is then turned face up. Ifthe color of the card does not match the color of the play picked by theoffensive player, then the offensive player moves the ball marker 17 inaccordance with the play instruction shown on the non-colored side ofthe particular instruction box 45. If, however, the defensive player wassuc cessful in outguessing the offensive player and did select the cardhaving a color corresponding to the type of 'play run by the offensiveplayer, then the offensive player gets only the yardage shown in thecolor-shaded area on the right side of the particular play instructionbox. The game continues with ball movement in this manner for four downsjust as in actual football. Extra points, field goals, punts, etc., areannounced by the offensive player at the appropriate time in theprogress of the game.

In the case of a fumble or interception, the plus or minus yardageinstructions refer-to the recovering or intercepting team and aremeasured from the line of scrimmage. In the case of an on-side kick-off,the play instruction boxes show either Good -l- (yardage) or Opp. Rec.(yardage) and yardage is measured for the recovering t'eam plus or minusfrom the point of kick-off which is the kicking team's 40-yard line asin conventional football. The game may be continued for any number ofplays per quarter and the number of elapsed plays counted on theplays-per-quarter indicator 230. The scores for the'two teams may bekept on the score indicators 23a and 23b.

As described above, there are many possible offensive plays which may beselected with a substantial degree of chance in the outcome thereof.But, as is shown, the football game of the invention closely simulatesactual football strategy in that a defensive player may choose aparticular type of defense which closely simulates those defenses chosenin actual football. Similarly, the offensive player can exercise adegree of choice with regard to his offensive play strategy dependingupon the down and the yardage situation. The simulated football game ofthe present invention providesactive participation for both players andan opportunity is given each player to exercise his strategic knowledgeof the game of football.

The specific play instructions set forth in the boxes onthe drum 30 maybe arrived at by compiling statistics from actual football games, and bydetermining the chances of success and the average loss or gain forvarious offensive and defensive strategies. When this statisticaldetermination is made from actual football playing conditions, thefootball game of the invention very nearly simulates actual playingconditions and is both entertaining and can be used to teach novicefootball players the strategy of the game.

Having described the invention in connection with certain specificembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that further modificationsmay now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and it isintended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A simulated football game comprising:

a drum having a periphery defining a plurality of circumferentiallyextending columns of offensive play results with the play results inadjacent columns being aligned in longitudinally extending rows;

a housing rotatably supporting the drum and including means fordesignating one of the rows of play results on the drum;

means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative to the housingwith one of the rows of play results aligned with the designating means;

means for segregating at least a portion of the play result columns onthe periphery of the drum into groups with each of said groups beingidentified with a particular defensive play and including a plurality ofcolumns;

a plurality of defensive play designation cards each associated with aparticular one of the groups of play result columns on the periphery ofthe drum; and

means dividing each offensive play result column that is included in oneof the groups into subcolumns and thereby providing different offensiveplay results depending upon the selection of the defensive playdesignation card corresponding to the group of offensive play resultcolumns including the column corresponding to a particular offensiveplay.

2. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the rotationterminating means is further characterized by:

a cage formed in one end of the drum and including ,a plurality ofweight registering means disposed around the interior periphery of thedrum; and

a rolling weight disposed within the cage and adapted to come to rest inone of the weight registering means and thereby terminating eachrotation of the drum with one of the longitudinally extending rows ofoffensive play results aligned with the designating means of thehousing.

3. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein thecircumferentially extending columns of offensive play results on theperiphery of the drum which are not included. in one of the groupscomprise columns for on-side kicks, kick-offs, kick-off returns, punts,punt returns, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts.

4. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the housingsubstantially encloses the drum and wherein the row designating means ofthe housin comprises an elongate slot formed therein,

5. A simulated football game comprising:

a rotatably supported drum;

means dividing the periphery of the drum into a plurality ofcircumferentially extending columns of offensive play results eachindividual to a particular offensive play;

means'segregating the columns of offensive plays on the drum into aplurality of groups each associated with a particular defensive play andeach including a plurality of offensive play result columns;

a plurality of defensive play designation cards each corresponding toone of the groups of offensive play result columns on the drum; and

means separating each offensive play result column on the drum intosubcolumns and thereby providing a different play result depending uponthe selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding tothe group including the offensive play result column corresponding to aparticular offensive play. i

6. The simulated football game according to claim 5 further including:

ahousingfor rotatably supporting the drum;

means on the housing for designating the longitudinally extending row ofoffensive play results on the periphery of the drum; and

means for terminating each rotation of the drum with one row of playresults aligned with the designating means.

7. The simulated football game according to claim 6 wherein the rotationterminating means is further characterized by i a plurality of weightreceiving apertures disposed around the interior periphery of the drumand each individual to one of the longitudinally extending rows ofoffensive play results on the exterior periphery of the drum; and

a rolling weight disposed within the drum and adapted to 'come to restin one of the apertures formed therein and thereby terminate eachrotation of the drum with one of the rows of offensive play'resultsaligned with the designated means.

8. The simulated football game according to claim 7 wherein the housingsubstantially encloses the drum andrincludes a first elongate aperturecomprising the means for designating a row of offensive play results anda second aperture permitting direct access to the periphery of the drumand thereby facilitating rotation of the drum relative to the housing.

9. the simulated football game according to claim 5 wherein the drumfurther includes circumferentially extending columns of offensive playresults corresponding to on-side kicks, kick-offs, kick-off returns,

punts, punt returns, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts.

10. The simulated football game according to claim 9 further including:

a simulated football playing field including yard line indicia; meansfor representing the position of the ball on the simulated playingfield; means for indicating the yard line on the simulated playing fieldwhich must be achieved in order to accomplish a first down; and I downindicating means. 11. A simulated football game comprising: a drumhaving a periphery divided into a plurality of circumferentiallyextending columns of offensive 'play results with the play results ofthe columns being aligned to define a plurality of longitudinallyextending rows; I said offensive play results on the periphery of thedrum being segregated into groups each corresponding to a particulardefensive play and each including a plurality of offensive play resultcolumns;

a plurality of defensive play designation cards each corresponding toone of the groups of offensive play result columns;

a housing rotatably supporting and substantially enclosing the drum;

said housing including a first opening positioned to expose one of thelongitudinally extending rows on the periphery of the drum and a secondopening positioned to permit engagement with the periphcry of the drumand thereby facilitating manual rotation of the drum within the housing;and

means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative to the housingwith one of the longitudinally extending rows on the periphery of thedrum exposed through the first opening in the housing.

12. The simulated football game according to claim 11 wherein the drumrotation terminating means comprises:

a cage formed in one end of the drum and including a plurality of weightreceiving apertures disposed around the interior periphery of the drumand each associated with one of the longitudinally extending rows ofoffensive play results on the exterior periphery of the drum; and

a rolling weight disposed within the cage and adapted for engagementwith one of the apertures thereof to terminate each rotation of the drumwith one of the rows aligned with the first opening of the housl3. l'hesimulated football game according to claim 11 wherein each offensiveplay result column included within one of the groups is divided intosubcolumns, thereby providing different offensive play results dependingon the selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding tothe group of offensive play result columns including the columncorresponding to a particular offensive play.

14. The simulated football game according to claim 13 wherein thecolumns of offensive play results on the periphery of the drum furtherinclude columns for onside kicks, kick-offs and returns thereof, puntsand returns thereof, and field goal and extra point attempts.

15; The simulated football game according to claim 14 further including:

a simulated football playing field;

means for representing the position of a ball on the simulated playingfield;

means for' indicating the yard line on the field to which the offensemust advance the ball to achieve a first down; and

down indicating means.

1. A simulated football game comprising: a drum having a peripherydefining a plurality of circumferentially extending columns of offensiveplay results with the play results in adjacent columns being aligned inlongitudinally extending rows; a housing rotatably supporting the drumand including means for designating one of the rows of play results onthe drum; means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative tothe housing with one of the rows of play results aligned with thedesignating means; means for segregating at least a portion of the playresult columns on the periphery of the drum into groups with each ofsaid groups being identified with a particular defensive play andincluding a plurality of columns; a plurality of defensive playdesignation cards each associated with a particular one of the groups ofplay result columns on the periphery of the drum; and means dividingeach offensive play result column that is included in one of the groupsinto subcolumns and thereby providing different offensive play resultsdepending upon the selection of the defensive play designation cardcorresponding to the group of offensive play result columns includingthe column corresponding to a particular offensive play.
 2. Thesimulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the rotationterminating means is further characterized by: a cage formed in one endof the drum and including a plurality of weight registering meansdisposed around the interior periphery of the drum; and a rolling weightdisposed within the cage and adapted to come to rest in one of theweight registering means and thereby terminating each rotation of thedrum with one of the longitudinally extending rows of offensive playresults aligned with the designating means of the housing.
 3. Thesimulated football game according to claim 1 wherein thecircumferentially extending columns of offensive play results on theperiphery of the drum which are not included in one of the groupscomprise columns for on-side kicks, kick-offs, kick-off returns, punts,punt returns, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts.
 4. Thesimulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the housingsubstantially encloses the drum and wherein the row designating means ofthe housing comprises an elongate slot formed therein.
 5. A simulatedfootball game comprising: a rotatably supported drum; means dividing theperiphery of the drum into a plurality of circumferentially extendingcolumns of offensive play results each individual to a particularoffensive play; means segregating the columns of offensive plays on thedrum into a plurality of groups each associated with a particulardefensive play and each including a plurality of offensive play resultcolumns; a plurality of defensive play designation cards eachcorresponding to one of the groups of offensive play result columns onthe drum; and means separating each offensive play result column on thedrum into subcolumns and thereby providing a different play resultdepending upon the selection of the defensive play designation cardcorresponding to the group including the offensive play result columncorresponding to a particular offensive play.
 6. The simulated footballgame according to claim 5 further including: a housing for rotatablysupporting the drum; means on the housing for designating thelongitudinally extending row of offensive play results on the peripheryof the drum; and means for terminating each rotation of the drum withone row of play results aligned with the designating means.
 7. Thesimulated football game according to claim 6 wherein the rotationterminating means is further characterized by a plurality of weightreceiving apertures disposed around the interior periphery of the drumand each individual to one of the longitudinally extending rows ofoffensive play results on the exterior periphery of the drum; and arolling weight disposed within the drum and adapted to come to rest inone of the apertures formed therein and thereby terminate each rotationof the drum with one of the rows of offensive play results aligned withthe designated means.
 8. The simulated football game according to claim7 wherein the housing substantially encloses the drum and includes afirst elongate aperture comprising the means for designating a row ofoffensive play results and a second aperture permitting direct access tothe periphery of the drum and thereby facilitating rotation of the drumrelative to the housing.
 9. the simulated football game according toclaim 5 wherein the drum further includes circumferentially extendingcolumns of offensive play results corresponding to on-side kicks,kick-offs, kick-off returns, punts, punt returns, field goal attempts,and extra point attempts.
 10. The simulated football game according toclaim 9 further including: a simulated football playing field includingyard line indicia; means for representing the position of the ball onthe simulated playing field; means for indicating the yard line on thesimulated playing field which must be achieved in order to accomplish afirst down; and down indicating means.
 11. A simulated football gamecomprising: a drum having a periphery divided into a plurality ofcircumferentially extending columns of offensive play results with theplay results of the columns being aligned to define a plurality oflongitudinally extending rows; said offensive play results on theperiphery of the drum being segregated into groups each corresponding toa particular defensive play and each including a plurality of offensiveplay result columns; a plurality of defensive play designation cardseach corresponding to one of the groups of offensive play resultcolumns; a housing rotatably supporting and substantially enclosing thedrum; said housing including a first opening positioned to expose one ofthe longitudinally extending rows on the periphery of the drum and asecond opening positioned to permit engagement with the periphery of thedrum and thereby facilitating manual rotation of the drum within thehousing; and means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative tothe housing with one of the longitudinally extending rows on theperiphery of the drum exposed through the first opening in the housing.12. The simulated football game according to claim 11 wherein the drumrotation terminating means comprises: a cage formed in one end of thedrum and including a plurality of weight receiving apertures disposedaround the interior periphery of the drum and each associated with oneof the longitudinally extending rows of offensive play results on theexterior periphery of the drum; and a rolling weight disposed within thecage and adapted for engagement with one of the apertures thereof toterminate each rotation of the drum with one of the rows aligned withthe first opening of the housing.
 13. The simulated football gameaccording to claim 11 wherein each offensive play result column includedwithin one of the groups is divided into subcolumns, thereby providingdifferent offensive play results depending on the selection of thedefensive play designation card corresponding to the group of offensiveplay result columns including the column corresponding to a particularoffensive play.
 14. The simulated football game according to claim 13wherein the columns of offensive play results on the periphery of thedrum further include columns for on-side kicks, kick-offs and returnsthereof, punts and returns thereof, and field goal and extra pointattempts.
 15. The simulated football game according to claim 14 furtherincluding: a simulated football playing field; means for representingthe position of a ball on the simulated playing field; means forindicating the yard line on the field to which the offense must advancethe ball to achieve a first down; and down indicating means.